Post-COVID-19 mucormycosis: A prospective, observational study in patients undergoing surgical treatment.

Background and Aims: Post the second wave of COVID-19 in India, our institute became a dedicated center for managing COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAM), but there was a paucity of data regarding perioperative considerations in these patients. The objectives of present study was to describe the preoperative clinical profile, the perioperative complications and outcome of CAM patients undergoing urgent surgical debridement. Material and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted on CAM patients presenting for surgical debridement from July to September 2021. During preoperative visits, evaluation of extent of disease, any side effects of ongoing medical management and post-COVID-19 systemic sequalae were done. The details of anaesthetic management of these patients including airway management, intraoperative haemodynamic complications and need for perioperative blood transfusion were noted. Results: One hundred twenty patients underwent surgical debridement; functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) was carried out in 63% of patients, FESS with orbital exenteration in 17.5%, and maxillectomy in 12.5%. Diabetes mellitus was found in 70.8% and post-COVID new onset hyperglycemia in 29.1% of patients. Moderate-to-severe decline in post-COVID functional status (PCFS) scale was observed in 73.2% of patients, but with optimization, only 5.8% required ICU management. The concern during airway management was primarily difficulty in mask ventilation (17.5%). Intraoperatively, hemodynamic adverse events responded to conventional treatment for hypotension, judicious use of fluids and blood transfusion. Perioperatively, 10.8% of patients required blood transfusion and 4.2% of patients did not survive. Non-surviving patients were older, with a more aggressive involvement of CAM, and had comorbidities and a greater decline in functional capacity. Conclusion: A majority of patients reported a moderate-to-severe decline in PCFS that required a preoperative multisystem optimization and a tailored anesthetic approach for a successful perioperative outcome.

COVID associated mucormycosis: A preliminary study from a dedicated COVID Hospital in Delhi.

BACKGROUND: It is an incontrovertible fact that the Rhino Orbital Cerebral Mucormycosis (ROCM) upsurge is being seen in the context of COVID-19 in India. Briefly presented is evidence that in patients with uncontrolled diabetes, a dysfunctional immune system due to SARS-COV-2 and injudicious use of corticosteroids may be largely responsible for this malady. OBJECTIVE: To find the possible impact of COVID 19 infection and various co-morbidities on occurrence of ROCM and demonstrate the outcome based on medical and surgical interventions. METHODOLOGY: Prospective longitudinal study included patients diagnosed with acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis after a recent COVID-19 infection. Diagnostic nasal endoscopy (DNE) was performed on each patient and swabs were taken and sent for fungal KOH staining and microscopy. Medical management included Injection Liposomal Amphotericin B, Posaconazole and Voriconazole. Surgical treatment was restricted to patients with RT PCR negative results for COVID-19. Endoscopic, open, and combined approaches were utilized to eradicate infection. Follow-up for survived patients was maintained regularly for the first postoperative month. RESULTS: Out of total 131 patients, 111 patients had prior history of SARS COVID 19 infection, confirmed with a positive RT-PCR report and the rest 20 patients had no such history. Steroids were received as a part of treatment in 67 patients infected with COVID 19. Among 131 patients, 124 recovered, 1 worsened and 6 died. Out of 101 known diabetics, 98 recovered and 3 had fatal outcomes. 7 patients with previous history of COVID infection did not have any evidence of Diabetes mellitus, steroid intake or any other comorbidity. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that ROCM upsurge seen in the context of COVID-19 in India was mainly seen in patients with uncontrolled diabetes, a dysfunctional immune system due to SARS-COV-2 infection and injudicious use of corticosteroids.

Comparative evaluation of Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway (ILMA), I-gel and Ambu AuraGain for blind tracheal intubation in adults.

Background and Aims: The supraglottic airway devices (SADs) that allow direct (without an intermediary device like Aintree or airway exchange catheters) tracheal intubation can be invaluable for field use in conditions ideally managed by intubation. Whilst fiberscope-guided intubation is the method of choice, if these 'direct-intubation' SADs could provide high success rates for blind tracheal intubation, their scope of use can increase tremendously. Our study assesses intubating laryngeal mask airway (ILMA), i-gel and Ambu AuraGain for blind tracheal intubation in adults. Material and Methods: Ninety adults undergoing elective surgery were randomized into three equal groups. After induction of anesthesia, the group-specific SAD was inserted and on achieving adequate ventilation, blind tracheal intubation was attempted over two attempts. Success rates and time of achieving adequate device placement and tracheal intubation through these were evaluated. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 17.0 and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: All three devices could achieve adequate ventilation within two allowed attempts. Successful tracheal intubation rates were significantly better with ILMA than i-gel on first attempt (87% vs. 27%, P < 0.001) and after second attempt that was supplemented with optimization maneuvers (100% vs. 40%, P < 0.001). No patient could be intubated through Ambu AuraGain within two attempts. Time taken for successful tracheal intubation did not differ significantly (P = 0.205) with ILMA or i-gel. Conclusion: Out of ILMA, I-gel and Ambu AuraGain, ILMA is the best device for blind tracheal intubation in adults with normal airways.

Comparison of Clinical Characteristics and Outcome of Critically Ill Patients Admitted to Tertiary Care Intensive Care Units in India during the Peak Months of First and Second Waves of COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) continues to pose serious challenges to healthcare systems globally with the disease progressing over time in crest-trough pattern of waves. We compared the patient characteristics and outcomes of critically ill patients admitted during the first and second waves of COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We did a retrospective analysis of medical records of critically ill patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) at the peak period of both waves. The data on demographics, symptoms, treatment received, and outcomes of patients were recorded. RESULTS: Compared to first wave, significantly more females, younger age group, and those without underlying comorbidities required ICU admission during the second wave. The treatments received during both periods were similar except for preferential use of methylprednisolone over dexamethasone and proclivity of bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) ventilation over high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC). There was no significant difference in the duration of ICU stay and mortality of patients. During the first wave, the factors associated with nonsurvival of patients were advanced age, comorbidities, severe disease, and a lesser number of days on HFNC. All these factors along with higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score were observed to be linked with patient nonsurvival during the second wave. CONCLUSION: In India, the second wave of COVID-19 significantly influenced ICU demographics with a predominance of females and young adults requiring critical care. During both time periods, patients received similar treatment except for the propensity to use methylprednisolone and BiPAP as opposed to dexamethasone and HFNC in second wave. No significant difference in ICU mortality was noted. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Kerai S, Singh R, Dutta S, Mahajan A, Agarwal M. Comparison of Clinical Characteristics and Outcome of Critically Ill Patients Admitted to Tertiary Care Intensive Care Units in India during the Peak Months of First and Second Waves of COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Analysis. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(12):1349-1356.

An innovative nasal continuous positive airway pressure assembly.

Continuous positive airway pressure is required by patients of obstructive sleep apnea to prevent any obstruction of airways. This requires CPAP machines which are costly, have electrical dependence and are not readily available. The nasal CPAP assembly devised by us overcomes most of these limitations and can be made from easily available materials.

Comparison of Ambu AuraGain at low cuff pressure, Ambu AuraGain at high cuff pressure and i-gel in relation to incidence of postoperative upper airway complications.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Postoperative upper airway complications are frequently encountered with the use of supraglottic airway devices (SADs). Cuff pressure is one of the risk factors for upper airway complications with SADs. Among SADs, i-gel has shown lesser incidence. The effect of different cuff pressures on the incidence of postoperative upper airway complications is not known with Ambu AuraGain and nor has Ambu AuraGain been compared with i-gel in this regard. So, we undertook this study. METHODS: A total of 200 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic surgery were randomised into 3 groups based on the SAD used and intra-cuff pressure: i-gel (IG) (n = 66); Ambu AuraGain at 25 cmH2O cuff pressure (AL) (n = 67); and Ambu AuraGain at 60 cmH2O cuff pressure (AH) (n = 67). The oropharyngeal leak pressures (OLPs) were measured after insertion and generation of carboperitoneum. An observer who was blind to the intraoperative details assessed the patients for two postoperative days for sore throat, dysphagia, dysphonia, or any other upper airway complications. RESULTS: The OLPs before and after carboperitoneum in the 3 groups were (IG-24.22 ± 7.87 and 28.31 ± 8.52, AL-24.40 ± 5.84 and 26.94 ± 5.93, AH-25.02 ± 5.02 and 28.91 ± 5.6) cmH2O (P = 0.747 and P = 0.231). The overall incidence of postoperative sore throat among the 3 groups was: IG-5.7%, AL-14.9%, and AH-17.9%; P = 0.135. Dysphagia was seen only with Ambu AuraGain at high pressure in 4 patients (5.97%) (P = 0.017). CONCLUSION: Limiting cuff pressure in Ambu AuraGain to 25, as against 60 cmH2O, does not affect the OLP but has the potential of reducing the incidence of dysphagia.

Anesthetic considerations for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in a child with Glenn shunt for thoracic duct ligation and pleurodesis.

Glenn shunt is an anastomosis between superior vena cava and right pulmonary artery to palliate patients with single ventricle physiology of the heart. Chylothorax is a frequent and troublesome complication after the creation of this shunt, which if not controlled with medical management, might require pleurodesis, and thoracic duct ligation. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) causes less postoperative pain, earlier mobilization, lower overall morbidity, a shortened hospital stay with reduced cost, and a cosmetic incision. A comprehensive understanding of physiology of Glenn shunt and implications of the proposed surgical procedure (VATS) is necessary to plan the anesthetic agents, cardiovascular drugs, ventilation strategies, and other perioperative factors.

Comparative efficacy of ropivacaine and levobupivacaine in combined femoral and lateral femoral cutaneous nerve block with adjuvant magnesium for post-operative analgesia.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Patients with burns may require multiple surgeries, but poor general condition and underlying protein energy malnutrition make them unsuitable candidates for general or spinal anaesthesia. This study evaluated the role of magnesium sulphate as an adjuvant with levobupivacaine and ropivacaine used in combined femoral and lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) blocks in burn patients with relative sparing of thigh portion. METHODS: This prospective, randomised, double-blind study included 54 adult patients of 18-65 years age, undergoing split-thickness skin graft harvest from the thigh, allotted to three equal groups of 18 each. Group L patients received femoral nerve (FN) block with 15 mL of 0.5% levobupivacaine and 8 mL for LFCN block; Group LM patients received 14 mL of 0.5% levobupivacaine along with 1.0 mL of 15% magnesium sulphate for FN block, 7.5 mL of 0.5% levobupivacaine with 0.5 mL of 15% of magnesium sulphate to LFCN block and Group R patients received 15 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine for FN block and 8 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine for LFCN block. Time to block onset and complete surgical block, duration of analgesia, total analgesic dose and the overall analgesia satisfaction score were measured in the first 24 h post-operatively. Quantitative data were analysed with ANOVA and qualitative data subjected to Chi-square tests. Intergroup comparison was performed with independent t-test. RESULTS: The duration of post-operative analgesia did not differ with the addition of magnesium (P = 0.610). Time to onset of the block was significantly decreased with the addition of magnesium (P = 0.0341), but time to complete surgical block onset was similar across the groups. CONCLUSION: Both ropivacaine and levobupivacaine have good perioperative analgesic efficacy. Magnesium as an analgesia adjuvant with levobupivacaine does not prolong the duration of post-operative analgesia.

A randomized comparative study of intraocular pressure and hemodynamic changes on insertion of proseal laryngeal mask airway and conventional tracheal intubation in pediatric patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of proseal laryngeal mask airway (PLMA) insertion on intraocular pressure (IOP). AIM: We compared the effects of PLMA insertion and laryngoscopic intubation on IOP and hemodynamic response in pediatric patients. BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that there is no hemodynamic response to PLMA insertion similar to classic LMA insertion, but there is no published report about the influence of PLMA insertion on IOP. Conventional laryngoscopic tracheal intubation evokes a rise in IOP and cardiovascular response and has been traditionally used to secure the airway in pediatric patients undergoing ophthalmic surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 59 patients, less than 14 years of age, scheduled for elective ophthalmic surgery were randomly divided into two groups, group P, in which the patient's airway was secured with PLMA (using introducer tool technique), and group T, in which the airway was secured with laryngoscopy-guided endotracheal intubation. Heart rate, blood pressure, and IOP were measured just before insertion of the airway device and subsequently three times at intervals of 1 min after insertion of the airway device. RESULTS: In group T, there was a significant rise in IOP as well as hemodynamic parameters recorded. In group P, there was no significant rise in hemodynamic parameters, but a significant rise in IOP was found though the rise was less than in group T. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the PLMA use is associated with lesser cardiovascular response and rise in IOP as compared to tracheal intubation.